Jay Leno Eyes Return to TV With CNBC Car Show

Jay Leno is making another bid for primetime success, this time with a series that is close to being approved at CNBC, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The latenight veteran is expected to host a program focused on his love of cars, this person said. Leno’s publicist, Richard Guttman, and CNBC declined to comment.

Leno, who launched a five-nights-a-week talk show on NBC’s primetime in 2009 at the behest of then NBCU chief executive Jeff Zucker – a disastrous effort – will this time burnish his hobby. He has long been known to enjoy collecting cars. Details of a start date or number of episodes order were not available, and the deal is not finalized, but looks promising, this person said.

CNBC, which is best known for its daily coverage of business and the markets, has been making more strides in primetime as of late. The network has found ratings growth by airing reruns of ABC’s “Shark Tank” as well as reality series like “The Profit” and “Restaurant Startup.” CNBC has struggled in the time period in the past, testing everything from talk shows hosted by Dennis Miller and John McEnroe, to documentaries made by its business-news staffers.

NBCUniversal has expressed interest in keeping Leno under its entertainment umbrella – and with good reason. The latenight audience is splintered among two handfuls of programs and a Leno effort to launch a new show in the daypart would only serve to fragment it further. Leno tie-ups with CNN and A + E Networks have been the subject of speculation in the press, though none have come to pass.

Leno previously took part in a CNBC special called “Jay’s Garage” over Labor Day weekend.

Leno’s efforts to launch a CNBC program were reported previously by The Hollywood Reporter.

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Glad to hear that Mr. Leno is coming back to the tube. Was lucky enough to meet him in the 90s due to an ugly car that I built (a faux Batmobile). He’s a true car nut. I’m sure the show will be a success.

The classic cars that Leno buys appreciate in value whereas a typical new car may lose 30% of its market value when driven off the lot. His vehicles require more maintenance and storage in controlled conditions.

Tim, please keep walking. New cars cost more to maintain when they break down due to the high cost of computer-related parts. I can rebuild my old Baja Bug for less than the cost of a new set of tires and wheels on a new car. Try getting a tune-up on a new car for fifty bucks. It’s not going to happen. Not to mention that you’re not going to repair it on the side of the road. Call the tow truck, dude. Or just walk away.

I listened to Car Talk on WBUR in the mid to late 80’s and didn’t realize that there was a rebroadcast later in the weekend. I initially thought there was an epidemic of cars with contaminated diesel fuel or failed CV joints but discovered I was listening to the show twice. I am safer as a pedestrian.

Clic and Clack are the all time best ever reality driven car experts. I hear they were retiring but NPR convinced them to hang in there, I believe.. Leno’s will have a collector show that few will ever be able to afford any of his cars making this a “niche” market appeal in a otherwise already saturated car show prime cable marketplace. He is basically starting over.